IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON
BIODIVERSITY
WITH EMPHASIS ON PROTECTED AREAS, ECOSYSTEMS AND SPECIES
PRESENTED BY Kawsu Jammeh, Manager Programme of Work on Protected Areas
OUTLINE
Status of protected areas, ecosystems and species
Direct impacts on wildlife species
Potential mitigation of climate change impacts on biodiversity
Introduction:
Impacts of climate
Conclusion
Data source and method of collection
Protected Areas 8 NP/R, 66 FP, 2 IM/B, 5 YL, New PA Governance, Agro-ecosystems management (SLM), Integrated Water Resources Management
Biodiversity Monitoring System
African Waterbird Census 1998- 2013.
Rice and Mangrove Survey 2005/6
Monitoring of Bijol Islands (Breeding and Non-breeding season) 1999
Manatee monitoring, turtle monitoring, METT and RAPPAM, Sitatunga monitoring, Hippo monitoring, Crocodile survey, Chimpazee monitoring, Dolphin and Whale survey.
source and method of data collection
Land cover degradation and erratic rainfall
Mangrove retreat and dieback
Habitat alteration and force species adaptability
Ground water depletion and salinization
Species distribution
Invasive species
CC impact on Ecosystems
Sea level rise is expected to have substantial negative impact on marine and coastal ecosystems
Marine ecosystems are affected in the case of the following;
increase in sea temperature and changes in ocean circulation,
ocean acidification,.
Habitat modification resulting from climate change would put the population of Nile crocodiles and African Rock pythons at great risk
Land-base wildlife are expected to face
fodder shortage or degradation in quality,
habitat degradation
lose of weight or tendency towards smaller body size.
species lost and extinction,
increase pest population, inter and intra competition for food and
limit reproductive success in species
Impacts on Wildlife-Animals
Mistiming of biological events E.G. BREEDING
Evidence suggest that shift in timing of biological event has resulted in mistiming with respect to the availability of resources such as food.
Sea level rise
Sea level rise may flood nest of birds breeding on low-lying coastal areas e.g. Terns
Migratory Birds, and the Impacts of Climate Change
Breeding Range Shifts
Is well known that species range depends on temperature and many species of birds have shifted their breeding range polewards E.G. Little egret
Changes in the timing of biological events
Increasing number of migratory birds are opting to capitalized on milder condition in Europe, e.g. Greenshank, a normally long-distant migrant to Africa is now over wintering in Mediterranean in large numbers
Changes in rainfall
Water birds are particularly vulnerable to changes in rainfall because of their dependence on wetlands.
Population impactsExtreme temperature and rainfall tend to lower the survival and productivity of water birds. Cold temperature can cause mortality in chick while high temperature can cause heat strain and death
Coastal erosion
Bijol islands is being washed away. NNP and TBR is eroding unprecedentedly due to sea level rise
Niumi National Park
Nuimi National Park
CONCLUSION • Protected area serve as climate change resilient for
species• Increase protected areas coverage and ensuring
effectiveness.• Promote restoration and rehabilitation of degraded
areas and mangrove• Livelihood projects for community dwelling around Pas• Examples of modelling using Habitat Suitability
Index(HSI) have shown that the suitability of habitats for Dwarf crocodiles and Osprey species in the Gambia is highly reduced.
• Degraded ecosystems will jeopardise the country’s ability to meet the Millennium Development Goals of reducing poverty, hunger and disease.
• Better adaptive strategies and capacities are key to communities ability to successfully cope with climate change in these ecosystems
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENT